U.S. patent number 9,550,514 [Application Number 15/184,311] was granted by the patent office on 2017-01-24 for retractable steering column system with air bag, vehicle having the same, and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Joen C. Bodtker, Richard K. Riefe, John F. Schulz.
United States Patent |
9,550,514 |
Schulz , et al. |
January 24, 2017 |
Retractable steering column system with air bag, vehicle having the
same, and method
Abstract
A steering column system includes a steering column shaft, a
steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft, a
column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering
column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position,
and, an air bag operatively arranged with the steering input
device, the air bag deployable to one of a first size and a second
size, the second size greater than the first size. When the
steering column shaft is in the driving position, the air bag is
deployable to the first size, and when the steering column shaft is
in the retracted position, the air bag is deployable to the second
size.
Inventors: |
Schulz; John F. (Hemlock,
MI), Bodtker; Joen C. (Gaines, MI), Riefe; Richard K.
(Saginaw, MI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION |
Saginaw |
MI |
US |
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Assignee: |
STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING
CORPORATION (Saginaw, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
57600874 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/184,311 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160375927 A1 |
Dec 29, 2016 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62184357 |
Jun 25, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
21/264 (20130101); B62D 1/192 (20130101); B62D
1/183 (20130101); B60R 21/2338 (20130101); B60R
21/203 (20130101); B60R 2021/23388 (20130101); B62D
1/181 (20130101); B60R 2021/0032 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
21/203 (20060101); B62D 1/183 (20060101); B60R
21/264 (20060101); B60R 21/2338 (20110101); B62D
1/19 (20060101); B62D 6/00 (20060101); B60R
21/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Fleming; Faye M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cantor Colburn LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/184,357, filed Jun. 25, 2015 which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Claims
Having thus described the invention, it is claimed:
1. A steering column system comprising: a steering column shaft; a
steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft; a
column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering
column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position;
an air bag operatively arranged with the steering input device, the
air bag deployable to one of a first size and a second size, the
second size greater than the first size; and when the steering
column shaft is in the driving position, the air bag is deployable
to the first size, and when the steering column shaft is in the
retracted position, the air bag is deployable to the second
size.
2. The steering column system of claim 1, further comprising a
first amount of gas generation material releasable to the air bag
when the steering column shaft is in the driving position, and a
second amount of gas generation material releasable to the air bag
when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position,
wherein a total amount of gas generation material releasable to the
air bag when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position
is greater than the first amount of gas generation material.
3. The steering column system of claim 1, further comprising at
least one tether configured to restrict a size of the air bag to
the first size when the steering column shaft is in the driving
position.
4. The steering column system of claim 3, further comprising at
least one tether releaser activatable in a crash event when the
steering column shaft is in the retracted position, and deactivated
in a crash event when the steering column shaft is in the driving
position.
5. The steering column system of claim 4, wherein the at least one
tether releaser is a cutter.
6. The steering column system of claim 5, wherein the cutter is a
pyrotechnic cutter.
7. The steering column system of claim 4, wherein the at least one
tether releaser includes an inflator module activatable to release
at least one portion of the at least one tether.
8. The steering column system of claim 1, wherein a fore-aft size
difference between the first size and the second size of the air
bag is approximately equal to a fore-aft distance between the
retracted position of the steering input device and the driving
position of the steering input device.
9. The steering column system of claim 1, further comprising a
decoupling assembly configured to decouple the steering input
device from a steering gear.
10. The steering column assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
torque interface assembly configured to detect a torque input into
the steering input device.
11. The steering column assembly of claim 1, further comprising at
least one sensor configured to monitor at least one of driver
compartment conditions, a driver's condition, a vehicle
environment, and a vehicle control system.
12. The steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a
portion of the steering input device is non-rotatable.
13. The steering column assembly of claim 12, further comprising a
work surface coupled to or integrated with the steering input
device.
14. The steering column system of claim 1, further comprising a
steering column energy absorbing mechanism.
15. A vehicle comprising: a steering column shaft; a steering input
device coupled to the steering column shaft; a column adjustment
assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between
a retracted position and a driving position; an air bag operatively
arranged with the steering input device, the air bag deployable to
one of a first size and a second size, the second size greater than
the first size; when the steering column shaft is in the driving
position, the air bag is deployable to the first size, and when the
steering column shaft is in the retracted position, the air bag is
deployable to the second size.
16. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising an autonomous
driving assisted steering system, wherein the steering input device
is not connected to a steering gear in the retracted position, and
the autonomous driving assisted steering system provides
directional control in the retracted position of the steering
column shaft.
17. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising an instrument panel
including at least one receiving compartment configured to receive
at least a portion of the steering column assembly when the
steering column assembly is in the retracted position.
18. A method of operating a steering column assembly of a vehicle,
the method comprising: translating a steering column shaft to one
of a retracted position and a driving position, a steering input
device coupled to the steering column shaft, and an air bag
operatively arranged with the steering input device, the air bag
deployable to a first size and a second size, the second size
greater than the first size; and, deploying the air bag to the
second size upon a crash event when the steering column shaft is in
the retracted position, and deploying the air bag to the first size
upon a crash event when the steering column shaft is in the driving
position.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein deploying the air bag to the
first size includes restricting the air bag from inflating to the
second size, and deploying the air bag to the second size includes
expanding at least one additional compartment area of the air bag
to inflate to the second size.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein restricting the air bag from
inflating to the second size includes retaining at least one tether
on the air bag, and expanding at least one additional compartment
area of the air bag includes releasing at least one tether from the
air bag.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The following description relates to steering column assemblies
and, more specifically, to a retractable steering column assembly
having an air bag.
BACKGROUND
Vehicle steering wheels are typically used to steer a vehicle. When
a vehicle is equipped with an autonomous driving assist steering
("ADAS") system, the steering wheel does not need to rotate as the
self-driving system turns the road wheels. This non-rotation allows
the steering column and wheel to have another use or purpose.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a steering column assembly
that enables the driver to manipulate the position or purpose of
the steering wheel while still providing driver protection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a steering column
system includes a steering column shaft, a steering input device
coupled to the steering column shaft, a column adjustment assembly
configured to translate the steering column shaft between a
retracted position and a driving position, and, an air bag
operatively arranged with the steering input device, the air bag
deployable to one of a first size and a second size, the second
size greater than the first size. When the steering column shaft is
in the driving position, the air bag is deployable to the first
size, and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted
position, the air bag is deployable to the second size.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes
a steering column shaft, a steering input device coupled to the
steering column shaft, a column adjustment assembly configured to
translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position
and a driving position, and, an air bag operatively arranged with
the steering input device, the air bag deployable to one of a first
size and a second size, the second size greater than the first
size. When the steering column shaft is in the driving position,
the air bag is deployable to the first size, and when the steering
column shaft is in the retracted position, the air bag is
deployable to the second size.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of
operating a steering column assembly of a vehicle includes
translating a steering column shaft to one of a retracted position
and a driving position, a steering input device coupled to the
steering column shaft, and an air bag operatively arranged with the
steering input device, the air bag deployable to a first size and a
second size, the second size greater than the first size; and, upon
experiencing a crash event, deploying the air bag to the second
size when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position,
and deploying the air bag to the first size when the steering
column shaft is in the driving position.
These and other advantages and features will become more apparent
from the following description taken in conjunction with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle and steering column
assembly according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views of a steering column assembly
and inflated air bag in a driving position and a retracted
position, respectively, according to one embodiment of the
disclosure; and,
FIGS. 3A and 3B show a flowchart demonstrating an operation of the
vehicle and steering column assembly according to one embodiment of
the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the Figures, where embodiments will be described,
without limiting same, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a
vehicle 10, such as an autonomous driving assisted steering
("ADAS") equipped vehicle, generally having an instrument panel 12
and a retractable steering column assembly 14. Steering column
assembly 14 generally includes a steering column shaft 16 and a
steering input device, such as steering wheel 18, coupled
thereto.
In the exemplary embodiment, steering column assembly 14 is movable
between a retracted position 20, a deployed or driving position 22,
and an accessory or utility position 24. The steering wheel 18 is
positioned closer to the driver 46 in the driving position 22 than
in the retracted position 20. Also, the steering wheel 18 is
distanced further from the instrument panel 12 in the driving
position 22 than in the retracted position 20. In the retracted
position 20, portions of assembly 14 such as steering wheel 18 are
disposed away from the driver 46 toward or into instrument panel
12, which provides increased space for the driver 46. In the
illustrated embodiment, instrument panel 12 includes one or more
receiving compartments or areas 26 to receive some or all of
steering column assembly 14. For example, receiving area 26 may be
configured to receive steering wheel 18 such that wheel 18 and thus
assembly 14 may be retracted within and flush with instrument panel
12 in the retracted position 20. The displacement of the steering
column shaft 16 and wheel 18 in retracted position 20 creates
additional cabin space for the driver's comfort and convenience to
perform non-driving activities including, but not limited to,
reading, working, entertaining, eating, texting, etc.
In the driving position 22, steering wheel 18 may be used by a
driver 46 to steer the vehicle 10. While only one driving position
22 is shown, a plurality of driving positions 22 may be utilized to
comfortably accommodate different drivers 46. In the accessory
position 24, portions of assembly 14 such as steering wheel 18 may
be used for non-driving activities such as reading, working, or
other forms of entertainment. As such, at least a portion of
steering wheel 18 is configured to be non-rotatable such that
objects like computers or books may be rested thereupon. For
example, a tray table or work surface 28 may be coupled to or
integrated with steering wheel 18 to enable such activities.
Alternatively, only a rim or hub of the steering wheel 18 is
non-rotatable and includes attachments such as hooks to support
work surface 28. In other embodiments, an electronic device or the
like, such as but not limited to a tablet, is integrated into the
stationary wheel 18 or work surface 28.
In one embodiment, steering column assembly 14 may further include
a steering column adjustment assembly 30, a decoupling assembly 32,
a torque interface assembly 34, one or more sensors 36, reversible
lock 38, and extension detection device 48. Each of assemblies 30,
32, 34, sensors 36, lock 38, and device 48 are associated with the
steering column assembly 14 in each position 20, 22, 24, however,
for clarity, one or more of the assemblies 30, 32, 34, sensors 36,
lock 38, and device 48 are not depicted in each position 20, 22,
24. Further, any two or more of the assemblies 30, 32, 34, sensors
36, lock 38, and device 48 may be combined into a single system for
use with the steering column assembly 14. Adjustment assembly 30 is
configured to move steering column assembly 14 for driver comfort
(e.g., telescope or rake adjustment) and to move assembly 14
between the retracted position 20 and the driving position 22.
Adjustment assembly 30 may include one or more
mechanical/electrical mechanisms such as a motor. Adjustment
assembly 30 may also include a retraction mechanism that enables a
driver 46 to mechanically, electronically, or manually return
steering wheel 18 from the retracted position 20 to the driving
position 22. The adjustment assembly 30 may further include
electrical actuators that move the steering column shaft 16 and
steering wheel 18 fore and aft.
In one embodiment, decoupling assembly 32 is configured to
selectively decouple one or more portions of assembly 14 (e.g.,
shaft 16) from a vehicle steering gear 31 such that steering wheel
18 is in a non-rotatable mode. This decoupling assembly 32 may be
mechanically or electrically activatable by a clutch, or by
steer-by-wire, or counter-rotated by a servo-actuator, for example.
Alternatively or additionally, assembly 32 may provide a counter
rotation to wheel 18 to counteract any rotation of wheel 18 caused
by the ADAS system 98 such that wheel 18 functions and appears as
non-rotatable.
Further, the decoupling assembly 32 allows the steering column
shaft 16 and wheel 18 to be displaced forward in the vehicle 10 to
the retracted position 20 because the steering wheel 18 is no
longer being used by the driver 46 to guide the vehicle 10. The
retracting action may be accomplished by the steering column
adjustment assembly 30, which may include long stroke, electrical
actuators responding to the driver's intention through a switch and
motor controller, or by the driver 46 manually releasing a clamp
and pushing the steering wheel 18 and steering column shaft 16
forward to the retracted position 20. In any case, the embodiments
described herein make retraction of the steering column shaft 16
and wheel 18 away from the driver 46 possible in order to provide
space for non-driving related activities such as working, reading,
and game playing. In the retracted position 20, the steering wheel
18 is a preset distance beyond a normal ergonomic range from the
driving position 22. The steering wheel 18 may, for example but not
by limitation, be approximately 100 mm forward of the driver's
normal driving position 22. The decoupling assembly 32 may also be
used to re-couple one or more portions of assembly 14 (e.g., shaft
16) to the vehicle steering gear 31 when the shaft 16 and wheel 18
are in the driving position 22 such that the steering wheel 18 is
again usable by the driver 46 to guide the vehicle 10, however the
decoupling assembly 32 decouples the one or more portions of
assembly 14 (e.g., shaft 16) from the vehicle steering gear 31 when
the shaft 16 and wheel 18 are in the retracted position 20 or
utility position 24.
In one embodiment, torque interface assembly 34 is configured to
detect and monitor driver torque input (rotational and
translational) to steering wheel 18, for example, to determine if
the driver 46 is in control of the vehicle 10. As further shown in
FIG. 1, sensors 36 are configured to detect and monitor driver
compartment conditions, the driver's condition, the vehicle
environment, and/or the vehicle control systems. For example,
sensors 36 may: detect objects between the retracted steering wheel
18 and the driver 46 that may cause an unsafe situation for the
driver 46 to safely retake control of the vehicle 10; detect if the
driver 46 is not in a position to safely retake control of the
vehicle 10; and/or detect undesirable vehicle dynamics that require
the driver 46 to retake control of the vehicle 10. Whether in the
retracted position 20, the deployed/driving position 22, or the
accessory/utility position 24, the fore-aft position of the
steering column shaft 16 and wheel 18 is known by the ADAS system
98 by detected data from one or more of the torque interface
assembly 34, the sensors 36, and extension detection device 48,
which may be positioned on the steering column shaft 16 or wheel
18. The extension detection device 48 may be incorporated into the
steering column adjustment assembly 30. A controller 102 of the
ADAS system 98 may receive signals from each of the monitored
systems and sensors. Sensors may include, but are not limited to
switches and potentiometers.
The retracting process of moving the steering column shaft 16 and
wheel 18 from the driving position 22 (or accessory/utility
position 24) to the retracted position 20 must eventually be
reversed to return steering control of the vehicle 10 to the driver
46. In the event that the driver 46 wishes to disengage the
self-driving feature, the driver 46 may alert the ADAS system 98 of
the desire to self-steer by gripping sensors on the wheel 18,
applying steering torque to the wheel 18, or other sensory means
that communicates the intention to take over driving the vehicle
10. That is, the driver 46 should be able to reach forward, grip
the wheel 18, and be able to relatively quickly bring the wheel 18
to the driving position 22 to resume steering of the vehicle 10.
When returned to the driving position 22, the steering column 16
and steering wheel 18 are fixed, at least temporarily, such as by
the decoupling assembly 32 and/or the deactivatable, reversible
lock 38, in that fore-aft position of the driving position 20. When
fixed in the driving position 20, the vehicle 10 provides the
ability to reduce the driver's kinetic energy, such as may result
from a crash, via an energy absorbing mechanism 40 in the steering
column shaft 16, the deformation of the steering wheel 18, and the
deployment of the driver's air bag 42. However, if the steering
wheel 18 and the air bag 42 are distanced from the driver 46 in the
retracted position 20, then the air bag 42 may not be ideally
situated for driver protection in the event of a crash, and
deployment of the air bag 42 during a crash may not be an effective
injury reducing device, as it may be too far from the driver's
torso to effectively spread the force of the crash or reduce the
driver's kinetic energy by deforming and doing work. Thus, in
accordance with embodiments of this disclosure, when the steering
column shaft 16 and the steering wheel 18 are retracted away from
the normal driving position 22, then provisions are put in place to
ensure driver protection.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A and 2B, the
driver's side air bag 42 is operatively configured to include a
plurality of inflation volumes adapted to the fore-aft position of
the steering column shaft 16 and steering wheel 18. For example, as
shown in FIG. 2A, in the driving position 22 of the steering wheel
18, in response to a crash event, a first inflation volume of the
driver's side air bag 42 will inflate in customary fashion using a
first amount of gas generation material 80, such as contained in
canister 84 located in a hub of the wheel 18 under the folded air
bag 42. However, as shown in FIG. 2B, in a second position of the
steering wheel 18, such as, but not limited to, the retracted
position 20, a second inflation volume of the driver's side air bag
42 will inflate, in response to a crash event, using a second
amount of gas generation material 82, which may also be contained
in the canister 84 or in a separate canister. The first and second
amounts of gas generation material 80, 82 may be combined to
inflate the air bag 42 to the second size, or alternatively an
entirely different source of gas generation material may be
utilized which contains the needed amount of gas to fill the air
bag 42 to the second size. The second inflation volume is greater
than the first inflation volume to accommodate for the increased
distance between the steering wheel 18 and the driver 46. That is,
the distance D2 that the air bag 42 is extendable is greater when
the steering column assembly 14 is in the retracted position 20
than the distance D1 that the air bag 42 is extendable when the
steering column assembly 14 is in the driving position 22. The
additional, greater capacity of gas generation is used to cause the
proper gas pressure in the air bag 42 which is larger in volume
when the steering wheel 18 is displaced from the driving position
22, such as in the retracted position 20.
The driver's side air bag 42 thus has two levels of inflatable
volume. A first size includes the first volume required for
inflation in a crash event when the steering column shaft 16 is in
the driving position 22. The first size and shape of the air bag 42
may be maintained by one or more tethers 86 that inhibit expansion
to a greater second size of the air bag 42. The second size and
volume of the air bag 42 is enabled when a crash event occurs with
the steering column shaft 16 in the retracted position 20. The
shape of the air bag 42 having the second size and volume is
designed to extend the additional distance (D2 minus D1) towards
the driver 46 between the retracted position 20 and the driving
position 22. One or more tether releasers 88 are used to sever,
cut, remove, or otherwise release the tethers 86 upon indication of
a crash event, such as immediately after an inflatable restraint
logic controller signals its need. Releasing the tethers 86 allows
one or more additional compartments of the bag 42 to be inflated,
such that the bag 42 will have the second size and volume in a
crash event when the steering column assembly 14 is in the
retracted position 20, as shown in FIG. 2B where tethers 86 have
released the additional material of the air bag 42. Signals may
also be provided to release the second amount of gas generation
material 82 (in addition to the first amount of gas generation
material 80) to the air bag 42. In one non-limiting embodiment, the
tether releasers 88 may include pyrotechnic tether cutters. In
another non-limiting embodiment, the tether releasers 88 may
include a releasing device which releases the tethers 86 via an end
of the tethers 86 being first assembled inside an inflator module,
such that when the inflator module is energized, the end of the
tethers 86 are released. Release of the tethers 86 enables the air
bag 42 to inflate the second volume to expand the air bag 42 to the
second size using the first and second amounts of gas generation
material 80, 82. The tether releasers 88 are deactivated when the
steering column assembly 14 is in the driving position 20.
Thus, the forces caused by the driver's torso impacting the air bag
42 extended to the second size are then available to engage two
other energy absorbing devices that would be otherwise unavailable
in the retracted position 20. The deformation of the steering wheel
18 and the stroking of the energy absorbing mechanism 40 in the
steering column shaft 16 can additionally operate to reduce the
driver's kinetic energy, even when the steering column assembly 14
is in the retracted position 20.
An embodiment of an operation 100 of the retractable steering
column system with airbag 42 is depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B. A
start 104 of the operation 100, as shown in FIG. 3A, may be
assessed by a controller 102 of the ADAS system 98, shown
diagrammatically in FIG. 1. The controller 102 may receive
information (signal(s)) from, but not limited to, one or more of
the steering column adjustment assembly 30, decoupling assembly 32,
torque interface assembly 34, sensors 36, reversible lock 38,
extension detection device 48, as well as any other feature within
the vehicle 10 that is communicable with the controller 102. The
operation 100 will determine, as demonstrated by block 106, whether
an ADAS switch of the ADAS system 98 is on. When the ADAS switch is
not on, then, as demonstrated by block 108, a driver 46 may provide
directional control. The steering wheel 18 and thus air bag 42 are
in a normal position, the driving position 22, as demonstrated by
block 110. Thus, if a crash event occurs, as demonstrated by block
112, a first amount of gas generation material 80 is utilized and
the first volume of the air bag 42 is filled with the first amount
of gas generation material 80, as demonstrated by blocks 114 and
116, and as depicted in FIG. 2A. The air bag 42 is restricted to
the first size by the tethers 86, which are not released when the
steering column 16 is in the driving position 22.
However, when it is determined at block 106 that the ADAS switch is
on, then, as demonstrated by block 118, the ADAS system 98 may
provide directional control. The controller 102 further determines,
as demonstrated by block 120, if the steering column shaft 16 has
been decoupled yet, such as by decoupling assembly 32. If not, then
as demonstrated by block 122, the driver 46 keeps hands off the
steering wheel 18. If the steering column shaft 16 is decoupled,
then as demonstrated by block 124, rotation of steering wheel 18 is
stopped.
At some point during the operation 100, a driver 46 may wish to
retract the steering wheel 18 away from the driving position 22.
The controller 102 will determine, such as via receipt of a signal,
as demonstrated by block 126, if the column shaft 16 and wheel 18
are retracted during the retracting operation to position 20. If
not, then as demonstrated by block 128, the driver 46 will keep
hands off the steering wheel 18, and the driver 46 will be a first
distance (a customary distance) from steering wheel 18 and air bag
42, as noted by block 132. However, if the steering column shaft 16
and wheel 18 are retracted, then as demonstrated by block 130,
driver cabin space within the vehicle 10 is enlarged, but the
driver 46 is a second distance greater than the first distance from
the steering wheel 18 and air bag 42.
Block 134 in FIG. 3B demonstrates that a crash event has occurred.
When the driver 46 and wheel 18 are the first distance apart as
noted in block 132, then the first amount of gas generation
material 80 will be expelled into the air bag 42 as demonstrated by
block 136, and the air bag 42 having the first size will be
deployed as demonstrated by block 138, and as shown in FIG. 2A.
When the driver 46 and wheel 18 are the second distance apart as
noted in block 130, then the second amount of gas generation
material 82 will be expelled into the air bag 42 in addition to the
first amount of gas generation material 80 (or alternatively an
entirely different source of gas generation material is utilized
which contains the needed amount of gas to fill the air bag 42 to
the second size), as demonstrated by block 140 and as shown in FIG.
2B. The tether releaser(s) 88 are activated to release the tethers
86 as demonstrated by block 142, and the air bag 42 having the
second size will be deployed as demonstrated by block 144 and as
shown in FIG. 2B.
Thus, embodiments of a retractable steering column system have been
described which enables use of an air bag within the steering wheel
to be useful for driver protection in both the driving position and
the retracted position.
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with
only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily
understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed
embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate
any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent
arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate
with the spirit and scope of the invention. The use of the terms
"a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of
describing the invention (especially in the context of the
following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular
and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly
contradicted by context. Further, it should further be noted that
the terms "first," "second," and the like herein do not denote any
order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish
one element from another. Additionally, while various embodiments
of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that
aspects of the invention may include only some of the described
embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as
limited by the foregoing description.
* * * * *